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New Zealand is a country that is not as common in daily conversation as the countries we have looked at so far. However its healthcare system is not something that should be overlooked. This educational video notes some of the major differences between New Zealand’s and the United States’ healthcare systems. To at least some degree, we are all aware of the dynamics around healthcare in the United States, centering around the struggles to make services affordable, ensuring equal access to care, and juggling the politics of party-line views between private and federally-sponsored healthcare (with everything along the middle of that spectrum). But how do other countries around the world offer healthcare to its people? Can their models provide us with some insight into how to modify our system to make it better? Over the course of the next several articles, we will be viewing some interesting clips on the general model of healthcare in select countries across the globe. While this sampling is in no way representative of all possible models out there, it undoubtedly provides us with intriguing information to ponder. Also, a disclaimer before we start. Some of the videos may be presenting biased opinions about the superiority of certain healthcare systems. My intention is to simply deliver the information without advocating for any particular viewpoint. 5. New Zealand As shown...

To at least some degree, we are all aware of the dynamics around healthcare in the United States, centering around the struggles to make services affordable, ensuring equal access to care, and juggling the politics of party-line views between private and federally-sponsored healthcare (with everything along the middle of that spectrum). But how do other countries around the world offer healthcare to its people? Can their models provide us with some insight into how to modify our system to make it better? Over the course of the next several articles, we will be viewing some interesting clips on the general model of healthcare in select countries across the globe. While this sampling is in no way representative of all possible models out there, it undoubtedly provides us with intriguing information to ponder. Also, a disclaimer before we start. Some of the videos may be presenting biased opinions about the superiority of certain healthcare systems. My intention is to simply deliver the information without advocating for any particular viewpoint. 4. England England is one of the primary examples of government-sponsored healthcare for its citizens. Sponsoring almost all services for patients with little to no charges incurred, it still outranks the United States in terms of a lower portion of its GDP comprising healthcare expenditures and producing better outcomes. However, there are some downsides that are worth...

If you didn’t know, we can actually learn a lot from France’s healthcare system. From the video below, it is clear that although expensive, France may have one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Watch and see for yourself or click here to read more. To at least some degree, we are all aware of the dynamics around healthcare in the United States, centering around the struggles to make services affordable, ensuring equal access to care, and juggling the politics of party-line views between private and federally-sponsored healthcare (with everything along the middle of that spectrum). But how do other countries around the world offer healthcare to its people? Can their models provide us with some insight into how to modify our system to make it better? Over the course of the next several articles, we will be viewing some interesting clips on the general model of healthcare in select countries across the globe. While this sampling is in no way representative of all possible models out there, it undoubtedly provides us with intriguing information to ponder. Also, a disclaimer before we start. Some of the videos may be presenting biased opinions about the superiority of certain healthcare systems. My intention is to simply deliver the information without advocating for any particular viewpoint. 3. France Similar to our discussion in the article on...

Mexico appears in the news a lot, especially recently due to the upcoming presidential election. However, healthcare is not one of the topics typically associated with the country. I found myself wondering what policies does Mexico follow? As a pre-med student, I feel as though it is important to understand other countries’ healthcare systems. Maybe we can learn something from other countries and see how their policies may affect the U.S. Furthermore, these policies may be reflected in our own system later down the line and greatly impact our practices once in the field. 2. Mexico After taking a look at our neighbor to the north in the first article, let’s look to our neighbor to the south. As shown in the video below, Mexico’s much more affordable healthcare system presents itself as an enticing alternative to the expensive healthcare costs of the American model. Especially for individuals who live close to the border, a short drive to Mexico is much less expensive than grappling with the higher costs here at home. But how exactly do the standard of services compare? And how does Mexico’s system survive with such low costs? Video: Source Featured Image:...

To at least some degree, we are all aware of the dynamics surrounding healthcare in the United States, centering around the struggle to make services affordable, to ensure equal access to care, and to balance the politics of party-line views between private and federally-sponsored healthcare (with everything along the middle of that spectrum). But how do other countries around the world offer healthcare to its people? Can their models provide us with some insight into how to modify our system to make it better? Over the course of the next several articles, we will be viewing some interesting clips on the general model of healthcare in select countries across the globe. While this sampling is in no way representative of all possible models out there, it undoubtedly provides us with intriguing information. Also, a disclaimer before we start. Some of the videos may be presenting biased opinions about the superiority of certain healthcare systems. My intention is to simply deliver the information without advocating for any particular viewpoint. 1. Canada Contrary to popular belief, Canada does not have a socialized medicine system, but rather a single-payer system. As shown in the video below, the Canadian system of healthcare for all its populations is comparable to the Medicare program we have here in the United States for the elderly. Being our neighbors to the north, Canada has been...

A lot of medical school involves learning about diagnosis and treatment on a case-by-case basis, treating each patient differently. And, unless you are going into emergency medicine, you will have plenty of time to examine a patient thoroughly before diagnosis. However, when disaster strikes, doctors must be able to act quickly and calmly in order to save as many lives as possible, which requires not only medical knowledge, but also leadership. In this moving TEDx Talk, General Itzik Kreiss discusses his leadership efforts in assisting Haiti’s earthquake victims in 2010. In the event you haven’t heard of them yet, TEDx Talks are a great resource for students in all disciplines—from business to science to criminal justice. Each Talk introduces novel and thought-provoking ideas in a succinct presentation, delivered with impact and authority. This series of TEDx Talks will focus on the finer aspects of medicine in context of the larger scope of the field. What are some key situations and instances in medicine that warrant an in-depth investigation? Are there any particular discoveries or experiences in the medical field that you would like to learn more about? TEDx Talks are a great way to gather insight on countless noteworthy topics and ideas. 9. A Story of Medicine and Leadership The primary motivation for anyone to go into medicine is their love for the science. However, the field...

With just 4 days until the XXXI Olympic Games, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, there are many pressing issues that have yet to be resolved. If you are planning on traveling to Rio, you should definitely proceed with caution, as there are numerous health and safety risks that could kill you. Mosquitoes Yes, we have been dealing with these pests for centuries. Although mosquitoes may not be a new threat, they are a still a major threat to humans, as well as dogs and horses. Zika is the latest mosquito-borne disease that has been especially prominent in Central and South America. Pregnant women are at the highest risk, as Zika can cause severe birth defects in children, however anyone can become infected with the virus. Furthermore, let’s not forget the cornucopia of other diseases that mosquitoes carry, such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue, West Nile Virus, and more. And, due to Brazil’s hot and humid climate, the mosquito population is much larger than other countries, increasing your risk of infection. All things considered, I’d stay away from Brazil for a while, pregnant or not! Source Water Some of the most beloved sports in the Olympics— such as swimming, rowing, sailing, windsurfing—all have one major element in common: water. Alarming reports have confirmed that the water in Rio is much more contaminated than previously thought. According to the NY...